10 things Hollywood has taught us about health and fitness

Today, MH is taking you to the flicks. Just be sure to stay away from the popcorn. Sit back and enjoy the good, bad and ugly lessons you can learn from big-screen icons – from Goodfellas, Jason Statham, The Rock, 007, Hannibal and more.

1. In Goodfellas’ famous cooking scene, Vinnie is castigated for adding too many onions to the sauce. As it happens, he’s guarding his friends from diabetes, cancer and heart attacks.

The skillet stalwarts are packed with antioxidants and compounds for regulating blood sugar. Sadly even the most pungent bulb will not protect against pint-sized Sicilian psychopaths.

2. Flaked on the gym? Having some LOLs can prevent you some rolls

Make Jonah Hill your new PT: just 10 minutes’ laughter burns 50 calories. Stanford Uni researcher Dr William Fry even reported that one minute of mirth could raise his heart rate higher than a full 10 minutes on a rowing machine.

Stath advocates the hard(man)-and-fast approach. And science agrees (well, who’d dare argue?): HIIT triggers 60-80% of fast-twitch fibres that are crucial for growth, rather than the 30% activated by endurance workouts.

4. In From Russia, With Love, Bond spots an imposter when he orders red wine with fish. Should you do the same?

In a word? No. You can’t argue with Connery: red wine’s higher iron content lends fish an unpleasant aftertaste, according to Japanese research. The taste comes from a fatty acid, which breaks down when exposed to the mineral. Double up on iron by ordering steak, and assassinate fatigue at dinner.

It's time to get vocal at the sidelines. In a comprehensive analysis carried out by the University of Kent, verbal encouragement was found to be an effective motivator during endurance performance. Singing the Chariots of Fire theme while miming in slow-mo is likely to aggravate, though.

Twelve pancakes, four pizzas, 21 chocolate brownies: Dwayne Johnson’s cheat days are the stuff of legend. Of course, most of what The Rock is cooking is very clean (he earned this feast with 150 days of abstinence). Seton Hall Uni research advises staying on course for 9/10 meals. A rare indulgence in fats and high-GI carbs can kickstart your metabolism to prevent a weightloss plateau.

7. Hugh Jackman proved himself just as badass as his alter ego Wolverine by joining the 1000lb club last year

According to Hugh, it’s about going big – at the gym and in the kitchen. “I see people in the corner with the Swiss ball, acting like it’s gonna change their life,” he says. His golden (adamantium?) rule: “Train until you want to throw up and eat until you want to throw up.” Quite.

8. Hannibal's staple diet of Fava beans were high in mood-lifting L-Dopa

A serving of Lecter’s favourite beans provides the building blocks for the ‘pleasure hormone’ dopamine. Combining it with polyphenol-packing red wine and B vit-stuffed liver isn’t a bad shout, but we’d advise getting yours from lamb or calf – not a guy from the census bureau.

9. In Commando, Schwarzenegger’s character “eats Green Berets for breakfast”. But the real Arnie decries muffins as a breakfast staple

Arnie is famous for his consumption of sat fats, but is mistrustful of refined foods. And for good reason: the Endocrine Society found that testosterone levels drop after high-sugar meals. Beware the muscle Predators in your kitchen.

Of the non-zombie kind, at least. According to research from Coventry University, horror films stimulate the production of white blood cells, helping your body fight off infections. ‘Controlled fear’ can also improve your sensitivity to stress. Consider it a practice run for the apocalypse.

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